Good Morning Everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great week.   Mine is going great so far.   Today I am SO grateful for the life that I now live since my WLS.    I am so grateful for the fact that my insurance covered my WLS over 6 yrs ago and I wasn't out of pocket a dime for it.    Grateful for all the choices of WLS today.   Grateful for my life, health, family. friends. grateful for my Faith and answered prayers.    Grateful for the person who discovered WLS and the hope that all the surgeries give us who have stuggled our entire lives with Obesity.    Grateful for all the things that I can do now that I only dreamed of being able to do pre WLS.    Grateful for Obesity Help and that my WL surgeon told me about it at his seminar when I started this lifelong journey.    Grateful for all the message boards here on OH and for all the amazing people here daily.   PLEASE share with us if you will what you are grateful for today.    Have a blessed day.


Hugs and blessings ~~~~ Vivian

I'm doing OK now because I had my band emptied a few months ago. Fortunately I haven't gained much back so obviously it isn't a matter of how much I eat that is the problem. My problem is being unable to excersize because of several health issues, including bad lungs. I still have a little restriction, enough to keep me from eating too much so I appreciate that. I would like to revise to a sleeve but right now the insurance I have doesn't cover any weight loss surgery. I'm hoping in a few years when I get medicare age that I'll be able to revise but if not I'd rather be fat than deal with this band. I'll leave it in as long as I don't have problems with it. Don't know what I'd do if it does get bad because I'd have to self pay for removal. So I'm hoping that by keeping it empty it will reduce the chances of any serious damage.  Good luck on your surgery!

Iwillbebetter72,

Honestly I cannot say WHY your Doctor told you that, it could be many reasons. One reason may be your medical condition. They may realize that a band won’t get you the results you seek. Another reason, may be the Doctor’s ability and comfort level. Some Doctors specializes in one procedure and are not comfortable doing other procedures. Check OH for your Doctor’s “history". If you see they do more bypass then band, that could be the reason. If you see they do the same amount, then it may be medical.

All I know is I’m almost 4 years out and have lost over 200 pounds, and been very successful. I recommend the band to anyone, but I also warn that it takes work. It’s not a magic cure all.

Know all of the operations are successful and failures. Sometimes it has to do with the patient themselves (not obeying the rules, don’t know what type of eater they are); sometimes it’s the Doctor and their follow-up care; other times it’s the procedure itself.

I would suggest doing more research on your eating behavior and/or habits; your realistic goal; and the operation. If you know you’ll feel safer with a band, and know the work that’s needed to be successful, then I would stick with the band. Personally I rather “fail" on a procedure that I decided with then to fail on a procedure I was talked into, then always wonder “what if I did …."

Good luck, and know I am here if you need.

 

 Good Morning,

I am sorry I didn't come back to the messageboards yesterday and see this.   I had RNY a little over 6 yrs. ago.   I personally  have not had any issues at all.    I do know some that have had problems but they STILL said that they would have had that surgery again if they had the cholice.   Have you tried to appeal your insurance co. decision for not covering the sleeve?    RNY is great...BUT if I were choosing a surgery today.....I would go with the sleeve.   You don't  have malabsorbtion issues.    I am glad that you came here and asked questions to people who had realize/lapband.    That being said.....ALL the WLS work.   It is just with lapband and realize band the higher your BMI...the less likely you will reach your goal weight.    Don't get me wrong now.   I am NOT putting this or any other WLS down because they all work.   It is just the higher the BMI is....the harder it is to loose and the longer it takes you.   My BMI was 50 before my RNY....it is still not normal but it is around 28-29.   SO much better.   At first before my WLS I was considering Lapband till my surgeon said it probably wouldn't work for me.     I lost all my weight in 11 months with RNY ( 140 lbs ).     And as the other poster said...it is very hard to get that "sweet spot" with the restriction with the band ( or so I am told ).
Good luck with your decision on choosing a surgery.     

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian